Julius Chancer

Assistant to Sir Alfred at the Ancient & Historical Research Agency. Served with the North Staffordshires at Gallipoli. Adventurous and determined.

Sir Alfred Catesby-Grey

Founder and chief expert at the Ancient & Historical Research Agency. A mind like an encyclopedia and a counter-theory to every theory. Ex-Director of the Empire Survey Branch.

Lily Lawrence

Daughter to Lord Reginald Lawrence and a leading English actress at the United Players Film Company of Hollywood. An independent spirit, and brave too.

Nathaniel Crumpole

American publicity agent at the United Players Film Company of Hollywood, and publicist for their leading actress, Lily Lawrence. A mixture of quick-change emotion, a healthy dose of ignorance, and just enough foolhardiness to blunder into an unknown danger or two.

Sujan Khan

A farmer who owns land on the outskirts of Karachi.

Benoit Tayaut

Former Hollywood stunt pilot in films such as Hearts of Brass and Wings, before he moved back to France and opened up his own aerobatic flying circus.

William Pickle

Leading gossip columnist for The Daily News. He won't let a few facts get in the way of a good story - and he can make a story out of the barest information available.

Mr Drubbin

Field agent for the Empire Survey Branch.

Urkaz Grope

A millionaire by virtue (or not) of many businesses and something of a mystery. He always has several 'projects' on the go at once.

Evelyn Crow

Grope's right hand associate. Clever, devious, subtle and she doesn't give up.

Box

Big, strong and not at all stupid. Loyal to Evelyn and Grope (in that order), and no stranger to the art of the pugilist.

Newton

A nervous individual with a mysterious occupation, currently in the employ of Urkaz Grope.

Lord Reginald Lawrence

Fifteenth Earl of Baggall and guardian of the Trembling Sword of Tybalt Stone and the estate that goes with it. A traditionalist with a secret weakness for whiskey and cards.

Charlotte

The maid in the household of Sir Alfred Catesby-Grey. Loyal, and an excellent host.

Josette Tayaut

One of Benoit Tayaut's twin daughters, and a skilled pilot herself.

Eloise Tayaut

One of Benoit Tayaut's twin daughters, and though not a pilot, a skilled acrobat and 'wing-walker'.

Winston Attle

Current Director of the Empire Survey Branch.

Pendleby

Personal Assistant to Winston Attle at the Empire Survey Branch.

Scobie

Urkaz Grope's spooky butler.

George Scrubbs

Photographer at The Daily News, usually assigned with William Pickle. Not always in on Pickle's plans, but he goes along with them if he can. Perhaps a little naive sometimes.

James Palfrey

Eminent musicologist and conductor of the City Philharmonic Orchestra. An expert in the work of Henry Purcell.

Nellie

Housemaid to Lord Lawrence at the Stone estate.